Martingale for saddle horse



Oct. 13, 1970 w. E. SMITH MARTINGALE FOR SADDLE HORSE Filed Dec. 27, 1968 INVENTOR W44 76? 6. 5/14/7/7 BY v A TTOEA/fVS United States Patent 3,533,219 MARTINGALE FOR SADDLE HORSE Walter E. Smith, PO. Box 908, Caldwell, Idaho 83605 Filed Dec. 27, 1968, Ser. No. 787,520 Int. Cl. B68b N00 US. Cl. 5435 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A martingale for a saddle horse has a flexible tension element provided with a ring at each end for sliding reception of one of the reins, respectively. The flexible tension element passes over a pulley mounted at the forward end of the martingale strap, so that, while the horse can move his head freely from side to side, he is permitted only limited motion in raising his head so long as the reins are held right.

Martingales have been commonly used on saddle horses to prevent the horse from raising his head beyond a predetermined position with possible injury to the rider. However, such martingales employ a fixed length of rope or strap which limits the freedom of the horse to turn his head to the right or to the left. This restriction seriously limits the usefulness of the horse, since it limits his ability to turn quickly to the right or to the left.

In accordance with this invention, an improved form of martingale is provided which retains all the advantages of preventing the horse from raising his head above a predetermined position, while permitting free movement of the head from side to side, thereby enabling the horse to change direction rapidly, even while moving at considerable speed. This result is accomplished by employing a flexible tension element having a ring at each end for sliding reception by one of the reins, and a pulley supported at the forward end of the martingale strap, which pulley engages the flexible tension element. The horse may swing his head from side to side as the tension element passes over the pulley, but is limited by the tension element and pulley in lifting his head beyond a predetermined limit, when the reins are held tight.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing parts of the harness of the riding horse and illustrating a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, partly broken away, showing the flexible tension element and the pulley at the forward end of the martingale strap.

FIG. 3 shows the device in place on a saddle horse.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing how the device permits the horse to turn his head.

Referring to the drawings, the martingale device generally designated includes a pulley 11 mounted at the forward end of a martingale strap 12. The lower and rearward end of this martingale strap 12 is attached to the ice saddle cinch 13. A neck strap 14 having a buckle 14a is attached to the martingale strap 12 near its forward end and near the pulley 11. A flexible tension element 15, such as a rope or a strap, is provided with a ring 16, 17 at each end. The right rein 18 slidably receives the ring 16, and the left rein 19 slidably receives the ring 17. The forward ends of these reins are connected to the bit 20 received in the mouth of the horse.

The phantom lines in FIG. 1 show the position of the flexible tension element with respect to the pulley 11 when the horse moves his head to the right. FIG. 4 shows the position of these parts when the horse moves his head to the left. Side to side motion of the horses head is therefore not restricted, as the tension element 15 passes under the pulley 11. However, when the reins are held taut, the horse cannot raise his head much above the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

I claim:

1. A running martingale for use with the reins of a saddle horse comprising in combination: a martingale strap, a pulley mounted at the forward end of the martingale strap, a neck strap for supporting the forward end of the martingale strap and said pulley, a flexible tension element engaging the pulley, and a ring at each end of said tension element for sliding reception of one of the reins, respectively.

2. In a saddle horse harness having a saddle cinch, a

bit, reins attached to the bit, a martingale strap attached.

to the cinch, and a neck strap for supporting the forward end of the martingale strap, the improvement comprising, in combination: a pulley mounted at the forward end of the martingale strap, a flexible tension element engaging the pulley, and a ring at each end of said tension element for sliding reception of one of the reins, respectively.

3. Harness for a saddle horse, the harness having, in combination: a bit received in the mouth of the horse, reins attached to the bit, a saddle cinch on the horse, a martingale strap having a rearward end attached to the saddle cinch, a pulley mounted at the forward end of the martingale strap, a strap encircling the neck of the horse for supporting the forward end of the martingale strap and said pulley, a flexible tension element engaging the pulley, and a ring at each end of said tension element for sliding reception of one of the reins, respectively, whereby the horse may swing his head from side to side as the ten sion element passes over the pulley, but is limited by the tension element and pulley in lifting his head beyond a predetermined limit, when the reins are held taut.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,510 3/1842 Smith 54-36 434,421 '8/ 1890 Blaikie 5435 773,015 10/1904 Kenny 54-35 HUGH R. CHAMBL'EE, Primary Examiner 

